Electrical flasher



Oct. 23,1934.

w. N. OLSON ELECTRICAL Fmsmaa Filed Feb. 18, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 NM NM Oct. 23, 1934. w. N. OLSON ELIQCTRICAL FLASHER Filed Feb. 18, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 23, 1934 1 1,977,953

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,977,953 ELECTRICAL FLASHER Waldemar N. Olson, Brookfield, Ill., assignor to Reynolds Electric Company, Chicago, 111., a corporationoif Illinois Application February 18, 1924, Serial No. 693,596

' 7 Claims. (01. 177-437) This invention relates to that class of speed signals may be changed with relation to each changing or controlling and driving mechanisms other; having a rotary element, such, for example as a Fig; 5 is a detail view in transverse section showrotary contact or contact-supporting member of ing the adjustable crank in its lowered adjusted an electric flasher or circuit making and breaking position with its axis below the level of the axis to device, or other rotary element, and provided with of the crank which is connected with the rotameans adapted to control or change the speed tive contact member or drum; of movement of such rotative element in a part Fig. 6 is a similar detail view in transverse secof a continuous revolution with respect to the tion showing the adjustable crank or crank shaft 10 speed of movement in another part of a revoluin its raised adjusted position with its axis above 65 tion or continuous movement of the same. the level of theaxis of the rotative member or The principal object of the invention is to crank which is operatively connected with the provide a simple, economicaland efiicient speedadjustable crank.

changing or controlling mechanism for electric Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the flashers, circuit-making and breaking devices, or electrical connections between the electric 70 similar or other mechanisms; and more particubrushes and the lamps or signals. larly, to provide an improved signaling device, In constructing an electric flasher or signaling circuit making and breaking or electric device device provided with speed changing or controlmade inaccordance with or containing myinling and driving mechanism, constructed in acvention and improvements. ccrdance with my invention, I provide a main 75 A further object of the invention is to provide frame 1, which may be of any desired ordinary an electric flasher, circuit making and breaking or well known or suitable form. The frame or signaling mechanism having a rotative conshown in the drawings comprises a base 2, havtact, contact-supporting member or circuit making a series of uprights or standards 3, 4 and 5.

5 ing and breaking mechanism or device, with driv- A rotative contact member or drum 6, which may 80 ing and speed-changing or controlling means be of any desired ordinary and well known or adapted to control or change the speed of move- "suitable form of drum or rotative member, is ment of such rotative element, to change or confixed to a shaft 7 which is journaled in suitable trol the signals or the operation of electric or bearings 8 and 9 of the uprights 3 and 4, respecother devices. tively. The rotative element or drum 6, here 5 Other and further objects of the invention will Shown, is in the form of an ordinary rotative appear from the following description and claims contact-supporting member or drum, such as is and from an inspection of the accompanying well known and in common use in electric flashers drawings, which are made a part hereof. or signaling devices which are familiar to those The invention consists in the features, combinaskilled in the art. 90 tions, details of construction and arrangements A continuous annular contact band or ring of parts herein described and claimed. formed of electrically conductive material or In the accompanying drawingsmetal, is fixed to or mounted upon and adapted Figure 1 is a plan view of an electric Signaling to rotate with the contact supporting member 40 device or flasher provided with speed changing or or drum 6. And a series, or any desired num- 5 controlling and driving mechanism constructed ber of p ph al Segmental C ta membersll, in accordance with my invention; 12, Band 14, each of which is, by preference,

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the device adjustable, are u d up t o at ve found in Fig. 1, with parts broken away or omitted tact member or drum 6, to which they are secured for the purpose of clearness; by means of headed screws 15, and segmental Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view in transverse peripheral $10155, other Suitable securing section, taken on. line 33 of Fig; 1, looking in 7 meansl the direction indicated by the arrows; The segmental peripheral contact members Fig. 4 is a similar enlarged detailed view in 13 M16114 project Outward p p a y 50 transverse section, taken on line 4-4'of Fig. 1, beyond the periphery of the rotative contactlooking in the direction indicatedby the arrows, supporting member or drum 6, to which they are and showing the means for adjusting the adjustsecured by means of the screws or bolts 15, which able crank mechanism and gear mechanism, to extend through suitable perforations in the seg-. change the speed of rotation of the drum in such mental contact members, respectively, and into a manner that the duration of predetermined preferably adjustable securing engagement with .bumper arm.

corresponding adjacent segmental peripheral slots 16 in the rotative supporting member or drum 6, as already suggested.

A series of metallic or flexible electrically conductive brushes 17, 18, 19, 26 and 21, which may be of any desired ordinary and well known or suitable form, is provided. These brushes are mounted upon a brush supporting bar 22, the opposite ends of which are removably mounted in and secured in fixed relation to corresponding sockets or openings 23 in brackets 24, or other suitable brush supporting frame members. In the frame shown in the drawings, the brackets 24 are each secured to and may be formed in one integral piece with corresponding upright frame members or standards 3 and 4, respectively. And each of these standards 3 and 4, respectively, is connected with acorresponding bracket 24 by means of transverse connecting frame members 25, which are located adjacent to opposite ends of the rotative contact-supportin member or drum 6. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)

Ayoke 26 is secured to each of the brushes, above described, and partly encircles the brushsupporting bar 22. The opposite arms of each yoke 26, which extend downward on opposite sides of the bar 22, are secured in rigid engagement with the bar by means ofa headed bolt 27 and nut 28, each of said bolts being mounted in suitableperforations in the ends of the yoke arms and extending beneath the bar 22. A securing loop 28' extends over each brush and has its opposite side flanges 29 bent under and into corresponding slotted portions or side slots 30 in the upper flanged portion 31 in the correbeneath such arm, and between the loop 28 and a yoke 26, And a securing screw 34 is mounted in threaded engagement with each loop 28' and extends through a threaded perforation in said loop, each of said screws 34 being located between the outer end 33 of each brush and the inwardly bent flange portions 29 of the correspondingloop 28'. Each projecting arm 32 is also provided with a headed screw or binding post 35. which projects downward toward the adjacent outer end 33 of a corresponding brush, and serves in connection with thearm 32 and loop 28" as a means for connecting an insulated electric wire with the corresponding brush with which the loop 28' is in contact. g A bumper bar 36 is mounted in the frame in position toextend beneath the series of brushes at or near the free ends thereof, and, by preference, consists of a main body portion 37 of felt, a backing member 38 formed of steel, or other suitable material, and of U-shape in cross section, thus forming achannel in which the strip of felt 37 is mounted. And sidernembers or plates 39 of hard fiber or other suitable insulating material are interposed between, the felt strip 37' and the channel or backing member 38. The bumper bar is removably secured in position upon its supporting frame by means of securing screws 40, mounted in bracket arms 41, and adapted to. engage the upper side of. the

(See Fig. 3.)- The metallic brush 1'? is adapted to be in con stant contact with the annular contact member or continuous electrically conductive ring 10 on the rotative contact-supporting member or drum 6. And each of the metallic brushes 18, 19, 20 and 21 is adapted to be engaged by a corresponding peripheral segmental contact member on the drum or rotative contact-supporting member. For example, the rotative contact member 11 is adapted to move into and out of contact with the metallic brush 18. The rotative contact 12 is adapted to move into and out of contact with the brush 19. The contact 13 is mounted in position to move into and out of contact with the brush 20. And the rotative contact members 14 and 14' are adapted to move into and out of contact with the brush 21, as the rotative contact-supporting member or drum 6 is rotated,

The continuous annular conductor or feed ring 10 is connected with a dynamo or source of electric supply 42 by means of a suitable electric conductor which may be of any desired ordinary, and well known or suitable form, such for example as an insulated wire 43, having branch wires 44 each leading to or adapted to be connected with terminals 45 of one or more signaling devices or lamps 46, 47, 48, or bells or horns .or other audible signals, orelectrically actuated devices ;49. And each of themetallic brushes 18, 19, 20 and 21, respectively, is adapted to be connected with the, opposite pole or poles of one or more predetermined lamps or signaling devices, or other electrically actuated device or devices.

For example, the brush 18 is adapted to be electrically connected by means of an insulated wire 50 with the terminals 51 of lamps 'orele'ctrical devices 46, 46; the brush 19 is adapted to be connected by means. of an insulated wire 52 with the terminal or terminals 53' of lamps or electrical devices-47, 47; the brush 20 is adapted to be connected-by means of an insulated wire 54 with a terminal or terminals 55 of one or more predetermined lamps or electrical devices 48, 48;- and the brush 21 is adapted to be connected bymeans of-aninsulated wire 56 with aterminal or terminals 5'7 of one or more predetermined signaling devices, lamps, bells,.horns, or other electrical devices 49, 49. 'Thebrush' 1'7, which is adapted to be'in constant contact with the continuous ,rotative annular contact member or feed ring 10, is fadapted-to be electrically connected by means of an insulated wire 58 with the opposite pole 59 of the dynamo or source of electric supply vices, or other .mechanisms, in connection with which my invention, or speed changing or controlling means is adapted to be used, is particularly well adapted for use as or in connection with signalingdevices to be located at street in- 'tersections, crossings, or elsewhere, for controlling 1'.

or guiding traflic, or for signaling or actuating electricaldevices used" in connection with signaling or for guidingor controlling traffic, or for similar or other purposes;

'In the form of the device herein shown and described the signalingdevices or lamps 46, 46, may serve =when lighted to indicate or mean Go north and south,stop east and west; The signaling devices or lamps 47, 47, may serve when lighted as a visible warning of a change of signails or of an impending change ofdirection of shaft '7, already described.

traffic, or of signals to indicate such change. lhe signaling devices or lamps'48, 48, may serve when lighted to indicate or mean Go east and west, stop north and south, or as any desired predetermined signal. And the signaling devices 49, 49, which may be in the form of electrically actuated bells, horns, or other electrical devices, may serve as an audible warning or signal of an impending change of signals relating to directions of traffic, or as any desired predetermined signal.

The 'rotative segmental contact 11' on thecontact-supporting member or drum 6 is thus adapted to engage the brush 18 thereby closing a circuit embracing the lamps 46, 46, andcausing said lamps to be lighted andcontinue lighted to in: L1.

indicate that traffic is to go north and south, and that east and west traffic is to stop during the period in which the rotative contact 11 and brush 18 remain in contact. The rotative segmental contact 12 is adapted to engage the brush 19, thereby closing a circuit-embracing the lamps 4'7, 47, which are thus lighted to give a signal of warning, that a change of signals and of the direction of traffic is impending or about to be made. The rotative segmental contact 13, which is located directly opposite the segmental contact 11 on the rotative contact-supporting member or drum 6 is adapted to engage the brush 20, thereby closing a circuit embracing lamps or electrical devices 48, 48, and causing said lamps tobe lighted and continue lighted during the period of contact between the member 13 and brush 20, to indicate that traffic is to go east and west, and that north and south traffic is to stop during the period of contact between said members 13 and 20. And the contacts 14, 14, and 14', respectively, are adapted to engage the corresponding metallic cbrush 21, thereby closing a circuit embracing the signaling devices, 49, 49, which may be in the form of bells or horns, or other devices for producing an audible signal, or for any desired predetermined signal, or may be electricallyactuated devices of any desired form or character. For example, the contacts 14, 14, may serve to give a repeated or double signal to be produced by a bell, whistle, or horn, or otherwise, or to indicate that such a signal is to be given; for instance, to indicate that traffic north and south may proceed and traffic east and west shall stop, or that a signal for a change in the direction of traffic is about to be given. And the contact 14 is adapted to close the circuit embracing said signaling'devices 49, 49, to indicate or make a different signal fromthat indicated by the contacts 14, 14, and the electrical elements or signaling devices electrically connected or actuated thereby. For exshall stop for a predetermined or desired'period.

of time, or until another or different signal is given, or otherwise.

Suitable means is provided for driving and for controlling or changing the speed of rotation of the rotative contact-supporting member or drum 6, or other rotative element or. devicetobe rotated at varying speeds, or in'such a mannerasto ,have different or varying predetermined speeds of rotation during different successive or alternate periods.

A driving shaft 62 is rotatively mounted adjacent to and adapted to be connected with the ings 68 in an adjustable support 69.

A crank or cam member 63 is fixed to the shaft 62. And a crank or cam member 64 is fixed to the shaft '7, said shafts being operatively connected with each other by means of said cranks, one of said cranks, for example, the crank 64, having a crank pin or wrist pin 65 thereon, and, by preference, mounted in fixed relation thereto, and the other crank or cam member, for example, the crank 63 having a radial slot 66 adapted to admit and to be operatively engaged by the crank or wrist pin 65 of the crank 64. A sliding bearing block 6'7 is, by preference, slidably mounted in the slot 66 and upon and in rotative relation to the crank or wrist pin 65, which extends into a suitable opening in the bearing block 6'7, which thus serves as an anti-friction member between the crank pin 65 and the slotted crank or cam member 63.

The crank shaft 62 is mounted in adjustable relation to the crank shaft '7, and is, by preference, journaled or rotatively mounted in suitable bear- Said support 69 being, by preference, in the form of a pivoted supporting arm or lever, which is pivotally or adjustablymounted upon a suitable support, such, for example, as a driving shaft '70, which is in turn rotatively mounted or journaled in bearings '71, '71, which may be stationary, and which in this instance are upon and fixed to the frame of the machine and located at one side of, or in eccentric relation to, the crank shafts 62 and 7. The supporting member or lever arm 69 on which the journal bearings 68, 68, are located, or of which said'bearings may each be said to form a part, is, by preference, in the form of a double arm or lever or yoke having an opening '72 for receiving a spur gear wheel 73, which is fixed to the driving shaft 62, and in toothed engagement with a spur pinion 74 which is fixed to the shaft '70, already described.

The crank shaft 62, with its crank or cam member 63, and spur gear '73, is thus supported on an adjustable support and in adjustable relation to the crank shaft '7, and is adapted to be adjusted or moved to different adjusted or pre- 1 determined positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft '7. The crank shaft 62 is in fact adapted to be moved across or transversely from one side to the other of the axis of the shaft '7, or across the end of said shaft to different distances from the axis of the same, or to different predetermined adjusted positions with respect to the shaft '7 and without interfering with the connections between the crank shafts 62 and '7, or between the shafts 62 and '70.

In order to provide means for adjusting the shaft 62 to different predetermined positions with respect to the shaft '7, in a simple and efficient manner, I provide an adjusting screw '75, which is'rotatively mounted or journaled in a pivot-ed or rotative bearing member or stub shaft '76,

which is in turn pivotally or" rotatively supported in suitable bearings in a stationary support, which "may be in the" form of a supporting bracket '77. having bracket arms '78 located on opposite sides of the adjusting screw '75 and in which the pivotal or rotative screw supporting stub shaft 76 is mounted. A collar '79, fixed to the adjusting screw '75, is in abutting engagement with the pivoted or rotative bearing member or shaft '76,

is in abutting engagement with the opposite or upper sideof the pivoted bearing member '76.

The screw-threaded end portion 81 of the screw is operatively connected with the projecting and a hand wheel 80 is fixed to the screw '75 and lever arms 82, 82, of the crank shaft supporting lever 69, by means of a stub shaft 83, the opposite ends of which are journaled or pivotally supported in suitable bearings or openings in said lever arms 82, 82, said shaft or pivoted bearing member 83 being provided with a screw-threaded opening 8% into and in threaded engagement with which the adjusting screw.75 is mounted. A spring or spring-pressed pawl 85 is mounted on the bracket 77 in position to engage peripheral shoulder portions of the hub 86 of the hand wheel 80, or of the screw 75, to hold the screw in any position into which it is turned in the operation of adjusting the crank. shaft 62 to any desired predetermined adjusted position with respect to the axis of rotation of the crank shaft '7 androtative contact-supporting member or drum 6. The adjusting screw '75 is thus adapted to rock upon or about the axis of 'a rocking or pivotal bearing '76- The adjustable supporting member or lever 69, upon which the crank shaft 62 is rotatively supported in adjustable relation ,to the shaft 7 is adapted to rock or swing to different adjusted positions upon the axis of its rotative support or shaft 76. And the pivoted bearing member or stub shaft 83 journaledin the lever arms 82, 82, forms the desired articulate connection between the lever 69 and the adjusting screw 75, which is thus adapted to securely hold the lever 69 and shaft 62 n any desired adjusted position. The shaft 70 is adapted to be operatively connected with any desired device or mechanism, such, for example, as 'a suitable driving means for driving the crank shaft 62 and thereby the crank shaft '7 and rotative contact-supporting member or drum 6, through the medium of the shaft 76 and the gear and crank and wrist pin connections, above described.

In the form of the device shown in the drawings, the shaft 70 is operatively connected with suitable driving mechanism, as follows: A Worm wheel 67 is fixed to the shaft 70. A worm shaft 88 is journaled' in suitablebearings in the frame and provided with a worm 89 fixed to said shaft, and in threaded engagement with the worm wheel 87 on said shaft '70. A driving wheel or'beltpulley wheel 91 is fixed to the worm shaft 88 and operatively connected with a driving shaft 92 of an electric motor 93, or with any similar or other source of power by means of a belt or similar connecting means 94. A belt tightener 95,

which may be of any ordinary construction, is

shown in engagement with the belt 94. And an enclosing casing 96 is provided, which is adapted to enclose the crank shaft 62 and the crank mechanism and adjustable crank-shaft supporting and operating mechanism above described, as well as any other desired parts of the mechanism.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood that the rotative element, contactsupporting member or drum 6, which may be of any desired suitable form, is operatively con nected with and adapted to be rotated. or driven by means of shafts 7 and 62, and the crankand wrist-pin connections 63, 64, 6-5, in such a manner that by adjusting the shaft 62 to different adjusted operative positions withrespect to the axis of the shaft '7 and the rotative member 6 fixed to said shaft 7, the last-mentioned shaft 7 and any rotative member mounted thereon or connected therewith, such, for example, as the member 6 with its contacts, may be caused to rotate either at the same speed with the driving 'or driven shaft 62, or at different or varying speeds during different predetermined parts of each or any revolution or revolutions of the shaft '7 and rotative element 6 or other or similar element connected with or rotated by said shaft 7.

For example, by setting or adjusting the shaft 62 to a position concentric or in the same plane with the axis of the shaft 7, the latter and the rotative element or drum 6 may be caused to rotate uniformly and at the same speed of rotation with the shaft 62 throughout each or any desired number of revolutions and throughout any and all parts of arotation or of any desired predetermined number of rotations; by setting or adjusting the shaft 62 to any desiredor predetermined operativeposition eccentric to or in parallel relation to the axis of the shaft '7 and the rotative element or drum 6, for example to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or in the position shown in either Fig. 5 or Fig. 6,or in or to any desired or suitable predetermined intermediate eccentric positionibetween the two extreme or outermost adjusted operative positions of the shaft .62 with respect to the axis of the shaft 7 and part 6, such,

.for example, as the position shown in Fig. 5 or that shown in Fig. 6,'the shaft '7 and rotative element or contact-supporting member 6 may be caused to rotate at relatively different or varying speeds during different parts of -a revolution. In other words, the shafts '7, and rotative element or contact-supporting member 6 may be caused to rotate at varying progressively increasing and progressively decreasing speeds of movement during different predetermined parts of a continuous uninterrupted revolution, and in like manner during each revolution for any desired predetermined number of successive or continuous uninterrupted or consecutive revolutions, by setting or adjusting the shaft 62 to .a corresponding predetermined eccentric adjusted operative position with respect to and at a desired predetermined distance in a proper direction from the axis of the shaft land rotative member 6, with the axes of the shafts 62 and 7 in parallel or eccentric relation, for examp1e,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or in either the position shown in Fig. 5 or that shown in Fig. 6, or any desired predetermined eccentric position intermediate the extreme or outermost adjusted or eccentric positions of the shaft 62 with respect to the axis of the shaft 7.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that the speed of revolution. of the shaft '7 and the drum or rotative element 6 will be uniform or will correspond with the speed of revolution of the shaft 62 throughout all parts of each revolution while the shafts 62 and '7 are concentric or in end to end relation with their axes in alinement, and that the contacts 11 and 13 which are located on diametrically, opposite sides of the axis of the shaft 7 and drum 6 will'each continue in contact with its corresponding brush 18 or 20 as the case may be, for the same length. of time. Assuming for., instance that the time occupied in making one complete revolution is one minute, the contact ll :will continue in contact with the brush 18 for substantially half of that period, or thirty seconds, and the contact 13 will be in continuous contact with the brush 20 during substantially the other half of the one minute period or next number ,of" successive continuous uninterrupted revolutions; Signals will thus begivenwhich are of equal duration or which occupy equal'intervals of'time, or which indicate that traffic may proceed in different predetermined directions alternately-for example, go north and south and stop east and west, and go east and west and stop north and south alternatelyfor periods of time which are of equal or approximately equal duration, for instance, thirty seconds each.

By setting or adjusting the shaft62 in itsraised or uppermost adjusted position with respect to and above the level of the axis of the shaft'l," as shown in Fig. 6, the speed of rotation of the shaft 7 and drum or part 6 will be, greater duringthat half of each revolution in which the contact 13 is in contact with the brush 20, and relativelyslower during that half or part of each revolution in which the contact 11 is in contact with the brush 18, thus causing the contact ll and brush 18 to continue in contact for a relatively longer period of time than that in which the contact 13 is in contact with its brush 20. For. example, the contact 11 may thus be caused to continue in contact with the brush 18 for forty seconds of the oneminute period for each revolution, to indicate that trafiic may proceed north and south and stop east and west for a period of forty seconds, and the contact 13 may be caused to continue in contact with the brush 20 for twenty seconds or during the remainder of the period of one minute for .of twenty seconds, and so on for any desired num-,

ber of revolutions, and for any desired length of time.

By setting or adjusting the shaft 62 in its lowered or lowermost adjusted position with respect to and below the level of the axis of the shaft '7 and contact-supporting member 6, as'shown in Fig. 5, the speed of rotation of the shaft 7 and part 6 will be relatively greater during that half or part of each revolution in which the contact 11 is in contact with the brush 18 than it is during the relatively slower movement or part of a revolution in which 13 is in contact with the brush 20, thus causing the contact 13 and brush 20 to continue in contact for a relatively longer period of time than that in which the contact 11 is in contact with the brush 18. The signal indicating that traffic north and south may go and trafiic east and west shall stop may thus be given or continue for a relatively short time, for example twenty seconds or while contact 11 and brush 18 are in contact; and the signal indicating that traffic may go east and west and that traflic north and south shall stop may thus be given or continue for a relatively long period of time, for example for forty seconds, while the contact 13 and brush 20 are in contact, and so on for any desired number of revolutions.

The shaft '7 and rotative-contact-supporting member or drum 6 may of course be rotated at any desired number of revolutions per minute or at any desired speed. And from the foregoing it will be readily understood that by settingor adjusting the shaft 62 in any desired position intermediate the outermost adjusted positions and eccentric to or in parallel relation to the axis of the shaft '7, the speed of the shaft 7 and part 6 may be changed or increased or decreased to affect any desired predetermined half or part of a revolution relatively to another part or half of a revolution to any extent desired.

From the foregoing description it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the rotative member 6 may be either in the form of a circuit-making and breaking device, or contact or contact-supporting member of an electric flasher, or other form of signaling device, or electric device, and is herein shown and described in a form which is particularly well adapted for use for thatpurpose or for similar purposes, and is providedwith driving and speed changing or controlling means adapted to control or change the speed of movement of the rotative element or drum member, or a rotative element to be used for any desired purpose, for example, for the purpose of changing or controlling signals, or for changing or controlling the operation of any device operatively connected with the rotative member or drum.

It is also obvious that the rotative element 6 is adapted to be operatively connected with a semaphore arm or other mechanical signaling device or mechanical device of any desired form, for signaling or for other purposes. And the speedchanging and driving means, or controlling means is adapted to be adjusted so as to change the speedof movement of the rotative member 6 or shaft 7 in a part of a continuous revolution with respect to the speed of movement of the same in another part of such revolution, or of a continuous revolution and successive revolutions.

The reference lettersa, b and c and the adjacent arrows indicate points of adjustment for obtaining three different changes of speed or predetermined diiferent or varying movements of the rotative memberG, and corresponding variations in thecharacter or. length or periods of the respective signals which may be of any desired form, length or character, and may be for uniform or for varying periods, or for any desired predetermined period or periods.

I claim:

1. In a trafiic regulator, a stop signal and a go signal, means including a rotary member for alternately operating said signals, power driving means for said rotary member, and adjustable crank means operatively connecting said rotary member and said driving means, and means for adjusting the operative length of said crank means so that the displacements of said rotary member can be made at varying rates of speed within a fixed cycle to thereby determine the time of energization of said signals.

2. The combination with stop and go signal trafiic regulating apparatus, of means for controlling operation thereof including stationary contacts individualized to stop and go signals, a mechanically operable rotary contactor, contact elements attached to said rotary contactor in spaced relationship and for successive engagement with the stationary contacts during rotation of the rotary contactor, driving means for said rotary contactor, a crank member interposed between said driving means and rotary contactor to establish a driving connection therebetween, and a shiftable connection on said crank member to selectively vary the selective time periods of said signals, said shiftable crank connection serving to vary the rates of speed of said rotary contactor within a fixed cycle to thereby determine the time of energization of said signals.

3. The combination with stop and go signal trafiic regulating apparatus, of means for controlling operation thereof including stationary contacts individualized to stop and go signals, a rotatable contact drum, contact elements attached to said contact drum in spaced relationship and for successive engagement with individual stationary contacts during rotation of the drum, drive means for rotating said drum, an adjustable crank arm interposed between said the operative length of said crank arm between said driving means and drum to selectively vary the effective time of engagement of one or more of the contact elements by adjustment thereof, thereby controlling the rotational speed of the drum during engagement between the contact element and its associated stationary contact to selectively vary the relative time periods of said signals.

4. In a circuit regulator, the combination with a plurality of circuits, of a movable control memher for selectively energizing said circuits, constant speed means for driving said control member to energize said circuits in a predetermined succession, a driving connection including pivotally connected crank arms interposed between said driving means and control member, and means for varying the operative length of said crank arms by shifting the pivoted connection between said crank arms to selectively vary'the relative energization periods of said circuits within a fixed cycle to thereby determine the time of closure of said circuits.

5. In a circuit regulator, the combination with a plurality of circuits, of movable control member for selectively energizing said circuits, constant speed means for driving said control memher to energize said circuits in a predetermined succession, a mechanical connection including pivotally connected crank arms interposed between said driving means and control member,

and screw operated adjusting means for varying the operative length of said crank-arms by shifting the pivoted connection between said crank arms to selectively vary the relative energization periods of said circuits within a fixed cycle to thereby determine the time of closure of said circuits.

drive means and drum, and means for adjusting 6. In a circuit regulator, the combination with a plurality ofv circuits, of movable controlmember for selectively energizing said circuits, constant speed means fordriving said control member to energize said circuits in a predetermined succession, a gear mechanism including pivotally connected crank arms interposed between said driving means and control member, shafts connected to the extremities of said crank arms, a floating gear on one of said shafts, a train of gears be tween said driving means and said floating gear to establish a driving connection with one of said. crank arms, and means for varying the operative length of said crank arms by shifting the pivoted connection between said crank arms to selectively vary'the relative energization periods of said circuits within a fixed cycle to thereby determine the time of closure of said circuits.

'7. In a device of-the class described, a plurality of circuits, a circuit closer, means including a shaft in a relatively fixed position for moving said circuit closer, a crank on said shaft, means operated by said circuit closer to selectively close said circuits, each for a predetermined displacement of'said circuit closer, a drive means, a shaft in a 100 relatively fixed position driven by said drive means at a constant speed, a third shaft having a crank slidably engaging the first said crank whereby to drive the latter thru a fixed time cycle, means for driving the third shaft from said driven 105 shaft and means for adjusting the position of said third shaft with respect to said relatively fixed shafts whereby the said displacements of said circuit closer can be made at varying rates of speed within a fixed cycle to thereby deter- 110 mine the time of closure of said circuits.

WALDEMAR N. OLSON. 

